Hello, District 13!

Friday was the third, and final, committee deadline, which means that the budget bills are nearing the end of the committee process. After a brief Easter break, the Senate will return to action on Tuesday, April 23 and will begin debating the various budget bills on the Senate floor. The legislature must adjourn by May 20.

Community notes

On Saturday, April 20, is the 19th Annual Rockville Easter Egg Hunt at the Lions Park at Pleasant Lake. The hunt begins at 10 a.m., any child age 0-10 is welcome and donations of non-perishable food items will be donated to the Cold Spring Area Food Shelf.

Governor’s tax proposal

Governor Walz’s proposed budget raises almost $12 billion in new taxes and fees over fur years to pay for the exorbitant increases he is proposing.

The Governor’s tax plan provides provisions that allow for non-citizens to get a property tax refund but does not include provisions that would allow more Disabled Veterans to receive the same refund. I think that these priorities are off and would hope that the Governor would re-evaluate who he should be giving breaks to – Disabled Veterans or non-citizens.

Mental health grants

This week, legislation to provide expanded access to mental health services was heard by a key Senate panel. The bill, Senate File 1, designates $25 million in grant money to make mental health more easily accessible and more affordable for those who need it, including farmers, new moms, students, young adults, and individuals in crisis.

The grants can be used for:

• Mental health services at ten state colleges and universities

• Expanding mental health care services in schools and in homeless shelters

• Children with mental health needs, including mental health screening, services, suicide prevention text messaging program, and respite care

• Increasing available housing options for individuals and families navigating mental illness

• Transportation for school-
linked services outside of the school year

• Pre- and post-partum screening and treatment

• Peace officer training to identify and respond to mental health crises

• Farmer mental health programs and outreach

I am working to include provisions that would provide funding for Community Action Team pilot project that works to stop the revolving door that many with mental illness and addiction find themselves in. The bill continues to move through the committee process.

‘Slowpoke’ bill

The Senate’s transportation budget proposal also includes a portion known as the ‘slowpoke’ bill. The legislation would require those driving slower than the flow of traffic in the left-hand lane to move over and allow faster drivers to pass. This would allow the left-hand lane to be more open to the flow of traffic, being used only for passing other vehicles. The legislation makes exceptions when traffic conditions, inclement weather, hazards, or other circumstances make it impractical. Existing Minnesota law only calls for drivers traveling below “the normal speed of traffic” to stay in the right lane. In the bill, vehicles may exceed the speed limit by 5 MPH in order to pass another vehicle, with the fine for violating the provision being $100.

Transportation budget

The Senate’s transportation budget proposal, which passed from committee this week, pumps more than $8 billion into Minnesota’s roads and bridges over the next two years – without raising taxes. Within the transportation budget bill, several pieces of legislation that I authored were included:

Highway Patrol salary study

This is my legislation to study the pay disparities that exist between the Minnesota State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies. The State Patrol is the state’s premier law enforcement agency and I believe it is time they get the compensation they deserve. We invest a great deal of money into the training of these troopers, and have seen a problem recruiting, retaining, and retiring the best and the brightest. With many cities offering substantially higher pay, we are losing Troopers at an unprecedented rate. This bill would help not only attract better and brighter candidates but help keep our State Patrol from leaving to serve elsewhere.

Electric and hybrid vehicles fee:

This is my legislation to raise the registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicles. I decided to author this bill because, as the governor talks about raising the gas tax, I think it is important that all drivers pay their fair share – including electric and hybrid vehicle drivers who now contribute far less.

Disability parking bikeways

This is my legislation to prohibit local governments from eliminating disability parking for the construction of bike lanes.

Local Speed Limits

This provision will allow local city councils to determine the speed limits on their local roads without going through the State’s bureaucracy.

I wish you a very happy, blessed Easter Holiday –  and stay warm.

Senator Jeff Howe – 3235 Minnesota Senate Building, 95 University Avenue West, Saint Paul, MN 55155

Tel: (651) 296-2084

Email: sen.jeff.howe@senate.mn